As I started this project first thing I needed to do was pull the back tire off, remove the brake arm from the rim to be able to put the wheel for the motor chain on! Ok I was able to do said process but when I went to put the rear rim back on the bike I wasn’t able to pedal or have the tire move after Reassembly. My question is simply, what did I do wrong and how to I remedy(fix) this issue????? I have tried pulling the brake arm lose so as to not have overtighten the Bearings but it’s not finding a happy medium between not moving or to lose, please tell me how to fix my expensive project!!
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4Can you post some photos - it makes it much easier to diagnose a problem when we can see it.– Andy PCommented Jul 1, 2021 at 13:11
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4Just don't do it. Get a real moped.– ojsCommented Jul 1, 2021 at 13:41
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2@ojs moped? Why? The wording isn't clear but this could easily be about an e-bike conversion kit, which is a perfectly reasonable thing to fit (if problematic when the bike has a coaster brake as this might)– Chris HCommented Jul 1, 2021 at 13:51
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3@ChrisH I think the parts about "remove the brake arm" and "brake in back tire time when pushing pedals backwards!" are really difficult to interpret as anything else than coaster brake. It's just the general level of mechanical knowledge that gives me the feeling that maybe this isn't the right person to DIY with anything that involves motors.– ojsCommented Jul 1, 2021 at 16:50
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2@ojs it sounds more like a coaster brake than anything on a motor vehicle, and the reference to "rim" doesn't make sense in any context - but if we replace "rim" with "hub" it's self consistent. And there are references to pedalling– Chris HCommented Jul 1, 2021 at 19:48
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1 Answer
Sounds like your bike has a coaster brake, that is activated by pedalling backward.
Coaster brakes need a "reaction arm" which is secured to the frame to function. You say you removed the arm and presumably left the attachment point free to spin. I suspect this lug has moved to actuate the coaster brake all the time.
One fix is to remove the rear wheel, disassemble the hub, and remove the brake shoes. They will look like two rough lumps of metal, approximately cylinder shaped when combined. Then reassemble and refit.
The downside to this is that you've now got a bike with only one brake. This would be stupid and foolhardy, as well as illegal in some parts of the world. So fit a rear brake too - your cruiser bike likely has a mount for a rim brake, and your rim probably has a brake track. You'll need a brake caliper with pads, a lever for the handlebars, and some inner/outer cabling to join them, and sundries like cable ties/tape.
Second fix is to buy another rear wheel that isn't a coaster brake, and swap the wheels. You'll need the same rolling size, and same Overlocknut dimension, and the same type/width of cassette mount, aka the freewheel hub.
Or, forgo the motor and ride your bicycle like normal.